University Oaths

In 1880, with mandatory military service, incoming students were given the following pledge: [1]

You are hereby directed to take your place in the ranks with Company ______

By order of the Faculty

By the 1880's, fraternities and other secret societies were banned from campus and students were forced to sign the following pledge upon entering the University: [2]

I hereby promise, that while I shall be a student at the Illinois Industrial University I will not be connected with any college secret society, as a member or otherwise.

The pledge appeared on a form together with a second pledge to be signed on graduation: [3]

I hereby state upon my honor, that in fulfillment of the pledge given by me, I have not since that time been connected with any college secret society, as a member or otherwise.

From 1884-1888, potential applicants were forced the sign the following pledge of allegiance to the University: [4]

I, the undersigned, wishing to become a student in the University of Illinois, hereby promise that during my connection therewith, I will perform all duties with fidelity, will yield loyal and instant obedience to all lawful authority, and at all times will strive to maintain a gentlemanly, or ladylike, demeanor, in public and in private, always mindful of my own good name, and of the fair fame of the University which I seek to join.

Finally, the Illini Ephebic Pledge, first required of freshmen on October 1, 1925: [5]

Having been entered upon the register of the University of Illinois I hereby pledge myself to discharge the duties of membership to the best of my ability; to devote myself with my whole heart to the work for which I have come here; to use as best I can the privileges and opportunities which the people of Illinois offer me in this University; to carry the responsibilities and discharge the duties of a citizen in home, in state, and in country; to obey the laws of the University, of the State, and of the Nation; to give due respect to religion, the rights of others, and the welfare of my fellow students and my fellow men; to defend these rights and promote them as best I can.